MNG93220 Project Procurement and Contract Management

Assessment Type: Report

Weight: 35% of the total unit assessment

Word limit: 1,500 words

INTRODUCTION:

The current body of procurement and contract management literature is theoretically diverse and draws from a wide range of underpinning disciplines. Relational forms of procurement, drawing from the collaboration, network and inter-organisational family of theories, are increasingly used within the project management community.

As we have seen so far, project procurement and contract management is a process which may involve four phases, and which may be broken down into steps:

Phase 1: Plan procurements

Identification of needs and development of a specification of the physical and performance characteristics of the required goods or services.
Identification of potential sources of supply (market search).
Qualification of potential suppliers and their goods or services.
Design of the request for proposal/quotation and the solicitation of bids.

Phase 2: Conduct procurements

Bid evaluation and supplier selection.
Negotiation of contractual terms and conditions with selected suppliers.

Phase 3: Control procurements

Monitoring of supplier performance and the management of ongoing supplier relationships.
Establishment of supply chain management (SCM) strategies, control systems and performance measurement systems.
Management of inventories of purchased parts, materials and supplies.
Recycling or disposal of unused materials and obsolete finished products (reverse logistics).

Phase 4: Close procurements

Negotiation and management of transition-out processes to enable contract closure.

ASSESSMENT AIM:

The aim of this report is to assess your ability to analyse, critique and apply at least one theory associated with collaboration, network and inter-organisational theories, and to provide insights about how this literature relates to the procurement and contract management process.

ASSESSMENT TASK:

Scope of Analysis Theory:

Review the literature list provided below, plus the PMBoK and other relevant literature, to gain an overview of how this ‘modern’ or ‘alternate’ approach operates within a project management context.

Analysis

The purpose of this assessment is to apply the theory to:

Evaluate how the theory is relevant and useful for procurement and contract management processes.
Identify the limitations of the theory to the procurement and contract management environment.
Provide insights into why procurement and contract management strategies and processes vary in different situations (such as those described in weeks 1 – 3 of the Unit).
Describe how the more recent literature differs from, or expands upon, Fleming’s chapter on Corporate Teaming (chapter 4).

It is important that you are logical and methodical in the approach to your analysis to ensure your evaluation and claims are influential.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

STRUCTURE

This report should be presented in an essay format, which is of a technical nature.

TASK	KEY SECTIONS	SECTION DESCRIPTION
	Cover Sheet with name and Student ID
	Table of Contents.
TASK 1	EXECUTIVE SUMMARY	Executive Summary – providing: A BRIEF overview of the report, and SALIENT RESULTS OF YOUR ANALYSIS.
TASK 1	INTRODUCTION	Introduction – providing a brief description of: The broader context. The motivation and objectives of your report. How you are going to satisfy those objectives WHAT you are going to do, and HOW this will lead to the outcome). An overview of the logic and structure of your report.
TASK 2	BASIS FOR ANALYSIS	Overview or summary of the theory. Description of (relevant) procurement and contract management processes.
TASK 2	ANALYSIS	Analysis of the procurement and contract management processes using the theory to predict how the factors described in the theory may influence decision making and/or outcomes associated with these processes, phases, and steps.
TASK 3	EVALUATION	Evaluation and prediction (causes and effects) of the most likely behaviours and/or outcomes that will occur based on the results of your analysis. [including brief, scenario examples to illustrate your findings would be beneficial].
TASK 4	DISCUSSION RESULTS	Results discussion Describe why your results are valid (and important!) Disclosure of any issues associated with your analysis that will limit the applicability of your findings. Disclosure of any issues that you detected in the Assignment of your analysis that remain unresolved.
TASK 4	CONCLUSION	Summary and Conclusions – providing: Summary of your key findings and their importance to understanding procurement and contract management processes, phases, and steps.
TASK 5	REFERENCING	Referencing Appendices (if necessary).

REFERENCING

The academic nature of this report prescribes the mandatory use of in-page citation and referencing in accordance with SCU Harvard Referencing Standards. Further information regarding SCU referencing standards are available at: https://libguides.scu.edu.au/harvard

WORD LIMIT

Students must comply with the word limit for this assessment. Penalties may be imposed for major breaches under or over the advertised word limit (1,500 +/-10% words).

Please note the word limit does not include:

Student Cover Sheet
Table of Contents
In-text Tables
In-text Figures and Diagrams
Appendices

Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to use alternative presentation formats to manage their word count and improve the structure, readability, and clarity of their assessment.

Appendices are not directly assessable. However, students may wish to provide additional information to support their report.

LITERATURE LIST:

Note that the list below is not exhaustive. You are strongly encouraged to undertake wider research.

List

Note that you should bring your argument back to the PMBoK or other industry standards.

Networks and Inter-organisational relationships

Børve, S, Rolstadås, A, Andersen, B & Aarseth, W 2017, 'Defining project partnering', International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 666-99.

Cicmil, S & Marshall, D 2005, 'Insights into collaboration at the project level: complexity, social interaction and procurement mechanisms', Building Research & Information, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 523-35.

Ey, W, Zuo, J & Han, S 2014, 'Barriers and challenges of collaborative procurements: An exploratory study', International Journal of Construction Management, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 1-12.

Gil, N 2009, 'Developing Cooperative Project Client-Supplier Relationships: How Much to Expect from Relational Contracts?', California Management Review, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 144-69.

Ki Fiona Cheung, Y & Rowlinson, S 2011, 'Supply chain sustainability: a relationship management approach', International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 480-97.

Manu, E, Ankrah, N, Chinyio, E & Proverbs, D 2015, 'Trust influencing factors in main contractor and subcontractor relationships during projects', International Journal of Project Management, vol. 33, no. 7, pp. 1495-508.

Michiel Christiaan, B 2014, 'Project governance: "Schools of thought"', South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 22-32.

Pala, M, Ruikar, K, Doughty, N & Peters, C 2014, 'Contractor practices for managing extended supply chain tiers', Supply Chain Management, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 31-45.

Tennant, S & Fernie, S 2012, 'The commercial currency of construction framework agreements', Building Research & Information, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 209-20.

Walker, DHT, Hampson, K & Peters, R 2002, 'Project alliancing vs project partnering: a case study of the Australian National Museum Project', Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 83-91.

MNG93220 Project Procurement and Contract Management

Assessment 2

Assignment Help Guideline: Analyzing Procurement and Contract Management Processes

Title: Analyzing Procurement and Contract Management Processes through Collaborative Theory

Objective:
This assignment aims to evaluate and apply theories associated with collaboration, network, and inter-organizational theories to the procurement and contract management processes. Students are required to critically analyze the relevance, limitations, and variations of these theories in different procurement scenarios.

Assignment Structure:

1. Cover Sheet:

Include name and Student ID.

2. Table of Contents

3. Task 1: Executive Summary and Introduction

Executive Summary:

Brief overview of the report.
Salient results of the analysis.

Introduction:

Provide a brief description of the broader context.
State the motivation and objectives of the report.
Outline the structure and logic of the report.

4. Task 2: Basis for Analysis

Overview or Summary of Theory:

Provide a concise summary of the selected theory from the literature list.
Highlight its relevance to procurement and contract management.

Description of Procurement and Contract Management Processes:

Briefly outline the key phases and steps involved in procurement and contract management.

Analysis:

Apply the selected theory to predict its influence on decision-making and outcomes in each phase and step of procurement and contract management.
Ensure logical and methodical analysis.

5. Task 3: Evaluation

Evaluation:

Predict the most likely behaviors and outcomes based on the analysis.
Provide brief scenario examples to illustrate findings.

6. Task 4: Discussion of Results and Conclusion

Results Discussion:

Discuss the validity and importance of the results.
Address any issues associated with the analysis and unresolved matters.

Conclusion:

Summarize key findings and their significance in understanding procurement and contract management processes.
Reiterate the importance of the selected theory in enhancing understanding.

7. Task 5: Referencing

Referencing:

Ensure compliance with SCU Harvard Referencing Standards.
Include a variety of academic references from the provided literature list and beyond, focusing on industry standards like PMBoK.

Word Limit:

Adhere to the specified word limit (1,500 +/-10% words).
Exclude Cover Sheet, Table of Contents, In-text Tables, In-text Figures and Diagrams, and Appendices from the word count.

Additional Guidelines:

Maintain a technical writing style throughout the report.
Use in-page citation and referencing following SCU Harvard Referencing Standards.
Ensure clarity, coherence, and logical flow of ideas.
Utilize alternative presentation formats to manage word count effectively.

Grading Rubric:

Assessments will be graded based on criteria specified in the provided rubric, focusing on Executive Summary, Analysis, Evaluation, Discussion of Results, and Referencing.

This guideline outlines the structure, content, and requirements for completing the assignment successfully. Ensure thorough research, critical analysis, and clear presentation to meet the assessment objectives effectively.